How Microbreweries, Taprooms and Brewpubs Fared in 2023

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Brewbound continues to dive into 2023 craft beer production trends from the Brewers Association’s (BA) May/June issue of New Brewer Magazine.

Brewbound previously covered top 50 craft, regionals beyond the top 50 and big beer craft.

Now, a look at some of the trends in craft’s smaller subsets – taprooms, microbreweries and brewpubs:

Taprooms: Total Volume -2.4%, No. 1 Tree House -11%

Taproom breweries – those that produce up to 15,000 barrels annually, sell more than 25% of their beer onsite, and do not have a significant food element – produced a total of 1.95 million barrels in 2023, down from nearly 2 million barrels in 2022 (-2.4%). The decline follows a +9% volume increase in 2022.

The 3,910 taprooms averaged 499 barrels each. An estimated 288 taproom breweries opened in 2023, down from 311 in 2022, while 168 closed, up from 147 in 2022.

The largest overall taproom was again Massachusetts-based Tree House Brewing, despite a -11% decline in production volume, to 39,172 barrels. The decline comes as the brewery, which does extremely limited distribution and instead focuses on both on- and off-premise sales out of its own facilities, continues to add to its collection of taprooms, including four in Massachusetts, one in Connecticut, and one planned for Saratoga Springs, New York, which was approved by the city’s planning board in April, the Daily Gazette reported.

Tree House was excluded from the BA’s list of regional breweries for 2023. In 2022, Tree House was the No. 61 largest regional brewery by volume. If included in this year’s rankings, Tree House would rank No. 65.

New York-based Other Half Brewing was the second largest taproom brewery, increasing production volume +5%, to 35,500 barrels. Other Half has increased production every year since at least 2018, according to the BA. Similar to Tree House, Other Half operates a multistate network of seven taprooms across New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

No. 3 was Virginia-based Aslin Beer Company (-2%, to 23,555 barrels), followed by Kentucky-based Braxton Brewing (flat, at 18,502 barrels); California-based Mammoth Brewing (-1%, to 18,502 barrels); California-based Fieldwork Brewing (+4%, to 13,580 barrels); Massachusetts-based Trillium Brewing (-5%, to 13,451 barrels); California-based BarrelHouse Brewing (-1%, to 12,031 barrels) Michigan-based Keweenaw Brewing (+4%, to 11,353 barrels); and Illinois-based Noon Whistle Brewing (+20%, to 9,330 barrels).

The BA also ranked the largest taproom breweries by region. The regional lists do not include breweries that elected not to publish production data.

In the Northeast Region (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.), Tree House, Other Half, Aslin and Trillium made up the top 4, followed by New Jersey-based Bonesaw Brewing (flat, at 5,500 barrels).

New York-based Talea Beer Co. recorded the largest production volume increase among the top 10 in the region (+73%, to 5,306 barrels), following the addition of two new taproom locations at the end of 2023, doubling the company’s own-premise footprint.

In the South Region (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas), Braxton ranked No. 1, followed by North Carolina-based Wilmington Brewing, which increased production volume +13%, to 6,488 barrels – the only taproom brewery within the top 10 in the region to increase production.

The region’s top five was rounded out by South Carolina-based Revelry Brewing (-1%, to 5,713 barrels); Florida-based Crooked Can Brewing (-1%, to 5,317 barrels); and North Carolina-based Deep River Brewing (-9%, to 5,000 barrels).

In the Mountain West Region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming), Nevada-based Lead Dog Brewing (-1%, to 8,162) was the No. 1 taproom by volume, followed by Arizona-based Wren House Brewing (+11%, to 7,081 barrels). Three other breweries within the top 10 in the region recorded double-digit increases:

  • No. 5 Cerebral Brewing +38%, to 4,608 barrels (Colorado);
  • No. 7 Able Baker Brewing +26%, to 4,155 barrels (Nevada);
  • And No. 8 Templin Family Brewing +11%, to 4,000 barrels (Utah).

In the North Central Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin), Noon Whistle was No. 1, followed by Ohio-based Fretboard Brewing (+8%, to 6,675 barrels). The rest of the region’s top five was flat or down versus 2022:

  • Dovetail -1%, to 5,619 barrels (Illinois);
  • Seventh Son -12%, 5,166 barrels (Ohio);
  • Daredevil Brewing flat, at 5,000 barrels (Indianapolis).

In the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Oregon and Washington), Pike Brewing ranked No. 1, maintaining its 2022 production of 5,424 barrels. Pike passed Oregon’s Level Beer, which fell to No. 2 after production declined -21%, to 4,500 barrels. The remaining top five in the region also recorded year-over-year declines: Washington-based Dru Bru (-3%, to 4,417 barrels), and Hellbent Brewing (-5%, to 3,310 barrels); and Oregon’s Wild Ride Brewing (-9%, to 3,112 barrels).

And in the Pacific Region (California, Hawaii), the top 10 was all California-based taproom breweries, with Fieldwork and BarrelHouse at No. 1 and No. 2., respectively. Humble Sea Brewing was No. 3 (-7%, to 8,500 barrels), followed by Pure Project (+18%, to 7,184 barrels), joining the top 10 list for the first time and recording three consecutive years of production volume growth. Burgeon Beer was No. 5, increasing volume +5%, to 7,110 barrels.

Paperback Brewing, which increased production +207% in 2022, fell out of the top 10 in the region for 2023, with production declining -1%, to 4,553 barrels.

Microbreweries: 34 of Top 50 Record Delines; Total Volume Down Nearly 500K Barrels

An estimated 2,092 microbreweries operated in the U.S. in 2023, down from 2,132 in 2022, but up slightly from 2021 (2,132). The BA defines microbreweries as breweries producing fewer than 15,000 barrels a year and selling less than 25% of their production onsite.

Microbreweries produced an average of 2,003 barrels per brewery and a total of 4.19 million barrels, down from 4.6 million barrels in 2022 and 4.47 million barrels in 2021. The number of microbreweries that opened declined significantly, from 105 in 2022, to 40 in 2023. Closings increased from 80 to 92.

California-based MadeWest Brewing was the largest microbrewery in the country, increasing production volume +11% year-over-over (YoY), to 14,820 barrels, missing regional status by fewer than 200 barrels. MadeWest was the 18th largest microbrewery in 2022, and has increased production volume by double-digits for three consecutive years. California-based Alvarado Street was the largest microbrewery in 2022, but shifted to brewpub status for 2023.

Urban Chestnut was the second largest microbrewery in 2023, with volume declining -24%, to 14,405 barrels. The Montana-based craft brewery lost regional brewery status, after ranking No. 148 in 2022.

Connecticut-based Stony Creek rose from No. 6 to No. 3, maintaining production volume of 14,233 barrels. Virginia’s Port City Brewing ranked No. 4 (+5%, to 14,054 barrels), followed by New York’s Ellicottville Brewing (-2%, to 13,689 barrels), which was included in brewpubs in 2022.

The rest of the top 10 was rounded out by Aviator Brewing, -2%, to 13,689 barrels (North Carolina); Exile Brewing, -2%, to 13,607 barrels (Iowa); Martin House Brewing -28%, to 13,476 barrels (Texas); Edmund’s Last Brewing, +7%, to 13,415 barrels (South Carolina); Upland Brewing, -2%, to 13,250 barrels (Indiana);

Massachusetts-based Mighty Squirrel, which was the second largest microbrewery by volume in 2022, fell to No. 14 in 2023, with production volume declining -10% YoY, to 12,998 barrels. Ohio-based Jackie O’s Brewery, which ranked No. 3 in 2022, dropped even further in 2023, to No. 56, after production volume declined -21%, to 10,600 barrels.

Beyond the top 10, 28 other craft breweries within the top 50 microbreweries in 2023 recorded production declines. Five, including Mighty Squirrel, recorded double-digit declines, including Maine-based No. 20 Baxter Brewing (-17%, to 12,581 barrels); No. 26 Rhode Island-based Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling (-21%, to 12,200 barrels); No. 34 Missouri-based Kansas City Bier Co. (-17%, to 11,823 barrels); and No. 47 Wisconsin-based Octopi Brewing/Untitled Art (-35%, to 11,000 barrels).

The other 22 breweries recorded single-digit declines:

  • No. 12 Gnarly Barley Brewing -3%, to 13,225 barrels (Louisiana);
  • No. 13 Denali Brewing -2%, to 13,200 barrels (Arkansas);
  • No. 15 Pipeworks Brewing -2%, to 12,955 barrels (Illinois);
  • No. 19 Third Space Brewing -2%, to 12,348 barrels (Wisconsin);
  • No. 24 Ithaca Beer Co. -2%, to 12,348 barrels (New York);
  • No. 25 Saugatuck Brewing -1%, to 12,244 barrels (Michigan);
  • No. 28 El Segundo Brewing Co -2%, to 11,916 barrels (California);
  • No. 29 GoodLife Brewing -7%, 11,900 barrels (Oregon);
  • No. 30 Barrio Brewing -6%, to 11,876 barrels (Arizona);
  • No. 31 4 Noses Brewing -2%, to 11,874 barrels (Colorado);
  • No. 32 Bent Paddle Brewing -3%, to 11,857 barrels (Minnesota);
  • No. 33 Berkshire Brewing -1%, to 11,825 barrels (Massachusetts);
  • No. 35 Fort Myers Brewing -2%, to 11,733 barrels (Florida);
  • No. 36 Track 7 Brewing -2%, to 11,733 barrels (California);
  • No. 38 Lewis & Clark Brewing -2%, to 11,600 barrels (Montana);
  • No. 39 Knee Deep Brewing -2%, to 11,440 barrels (California);
  • No. 41 Appalachian Mountain Brewery -2%, to 11,244 barrels (North Carolina);
  • No. 42 New Glory Craft -2%, to 11,244 barrels (California);
  • No. 43 Greater Good Imperial Brewing -2%, to 11,244 barrels (Massachusetts);
  • No. 44 Thimble Island Brewing -2%, to 11,146 barrels (Connecticut);
  • No. 46 Stoneface Brewing -2%, to 11,049 barrels (New Hampshire);
  • No. 49 Bissell Brothers Brewing -2%, to 10,907 barrels (Maine);
  • And No. 50 Sebago Brewing -6%, to 10,951 barrels (Maine).

Ten of the top 50, excluding the top 10, increased production YoY, the majority of which were at least double-digit increases. No. 27 North Carolina-based Burial Beer recorded the largest percentage increase within the top 50 (+154%, to 12,000 barrels), followed by No. 22 Washington-based Black Raven Brewing (+33%, to 12,375 barrels); No. 16 Texas-based The Manhattan Beer Project (+31%, to 12,800 barrels); No. 23 Massachusetts-based Tasty Liquid Alliance (+22%, to 12,358 barrels); No. 21 Wisconsin-based 3 Sheeps Brewing (+23%, to 12,508 barrels); and No. 18 Michigan-based Blackrocks Brewery (+11%, to 12,687 barrels).

The remaining four breweries in the green recorded single-digit increases:

  • No. 11 Sunriver Brewing +2%, to 13,245 barrels (Oregon);
  • No. 37 Icicle Brewing +8%, to 11,600 barrels (Washington);
  • No. 40 Drekker Brewing +1%, to 11,418 barrels (North Dakota);
  • No. 45 Threes Brewing +5%, to 11,088 barrels (New York).

No. 17 Washington, D.C.’s DC Brau Brewing (12,749 barrels) and No. 48 Texas’ Yee-Haw Brewing (10,987 barrels) were both flat YoY.

Other significant percentage increases beyond the top 50 include:

  • No. 55 Capital Brewery Co. +40%, to 10,625 barrels (Wisconsin);
  • Three Weavers Brewing +40%, to 9,500 barrels (California);
  • Twisted X Brewing +26%, to 9,091 barrels (Texas);
  • Orono Brewing Company +53%, to 7,670 barrels (Maine);
  • Cheboygan Brewing +173%, to 7,502 barrels (Michigan);
  • Frost Beer Works +19%, to 7,330 barrels (Vermont);
  • Wolf’s Ridge Brewing +21%, to 7,160 barrels (Ohio);
  • Wild Heaven Beer +80%, to 7,100 barrels (Georgia);
  • 7 Seas Brewing +30%, to 7,065 barrels (Washington);
  • Foam Brewers +56%, to 7,000 barrels (Vermont);
  • Lakewood Brewing +22%, to 6,268 barrels (Texas);
  • Tripping Animals Brewing +19%, to 6,200 barrels (Florida);
  • Meanwhile Brewing +55%, to 6,173 barrels (Texas);
  • Big Timber Brewing +20%, to 6,111 barrels (West Virginia);

Brewpubs: Total Volume -3.4%, to 1.67M Barrels

Brewpubs produced a total of 1.67 million barrels of beer in 2023, a -3.4% decline versus 2022 (1.76 million barrels). The BA defines brewpubs as those that produce 1,600 to 15,000 barrels of beer a year, with at least 25% of their beer sales made onsite.

A total of 3,502 brewpubs were in operation last year, producing an average of 477 barrels of beer. An estimated 165 brewpubs opened in 2023, down from 243 in 2022, while 145 closed, down from 170 in 2022.

The No. 1 brewpub by volume was Texas-based Pinthouse Pizza, which increased volume +6%, to 22,474 barrels. Pinthouse was previously included in the BA’s dataset as both a brewpub and a taproom, but was only listed as a brewpub for 2023.

Of the top 10 brewpubs by volume, half recorded production declines, four recorded volume increases and one was flat.

Brewpubs were also split up by region. Ohio-based March First Brewing – the fifth largest brewpub overall – was the largest brewpub in the North Central region. March First produced 12,277 barrels of beer, a -18% decline YoY. 2023 marked March First’s first production decline after five consecutive years of growth, including triple-digit increases in three of the five years: +100% in 2018, +156% in 2019 and +221% in 2021.

Eagle Park Brewing was the second largest brewpub in North Central, and eighth largest overall, with production increasing +29% YoY, to 10,419. The Wisconsin-based brewpub passed No. 3 Ohio-based The Brew Kettle, which recorded a -3% decline in production, to 8,737 barrels.

Ohio-based Market Garden Brewery ranked No. 4 in the region, increasing barrelage +10%, to 8,464 barrels, followed by Michigan-based Rochester Mills Beer Co. (-3%, to 6,592 barrels).

Oregon-based McMenamins Breweries was the largest brewpub in the Pacific Northwest, despite a production volume decline of -3% YoY, to 12,912 barrels. Six other brewpubs within the top 10 in the region recorded production declines, including three of the top five:

  • No. 2 Oregon-based Great Notion Brewing (-2%, to 10,266 barrels);
  • No. 3 Oregon-based Double Mountain Brewery (-3%, to 5,825 barrels);
  • And No. 4 Washington-based Boundary Bay Brewery (-4%, to 5,332 barrels).

No. 5 Oregon-based Von Ebert Brewing increased production volume +10%, to 4,209 barrels.

In the Pacific Region, Hawaii-based Waikiki Brewing was the largest brewpub, despite a -3% decline in production, to 5,880 barrels. All other brewpubs in the top 10 for the region were based out of California. The top five was rounded out by Garage Brewing (-3%, to 5,497 barrels); FiftyFifty Brewing (+48%, to 4,303 barrels); Kern River Brewing (-2%, to 3,857 barrels); Bootleggers Brewery (+2%, to 3,823 barrels).

In the Northeast, Pennsylvania-based Iron Hill Brewery was the largest brewpub (-2%, to 13,740).

New York-based Rohrbach Brewing was the second largest brewpub in the region (+3%, to 8,032 barrels), followed by New Hampshire-based Moat Mountain Smoke House (-3%, to 7,475 barrels) and Virginia-based Blue Mountain Brewery (-7%, to 6,307 barrels) and New York-based Adirondack Pub and Brewery (+5%, to 5,800 barrels).

In the South, Pinthouse led the pack, with more than double the production volume of No. 2 North Carolina-based Legion Brewing (+13%, to 12,191 barrels). Legion was followed by Tennessee-based Smoky Mountain Brewery (-2%, to 6,134 barrels) and North Carolina-based Carolina Brewery (+1%, to 5,702 barrels).

The next five largest brewpubs in the region each recorded a -11% decline in volume: North Carolina-based Asheville Brewing (4,009 barrels), Blowing Rock Brewing (3,281 barrels) and Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern (2,863 barrels); and Tennessee-based Southern Grist Brewing (3,281 barrels) and Millcreek Brewing (2,896 barrels).

Colorado’s Prost Brewing was the No. 1 brewpub in the Mountain West, increasing production volume +5%, to 10,500 barrels. The next three largest brewpubs declined volume -3% YoY: New Mexico-based Bosque Brewing (9,718 barrels) and Colorado-based Outer Range Brewing (5,999 barrels) and New Image Brewing (5,291 barrels). No. 5 Utah-based Proper Brewing increased production volume +5%, to 4,219 barrels.